The Nursing program at Mid-State Technical College was recently named a top-ten school in Nursing Schools Almanac’s 2020 rankings of the best nursing programs, earning its place at number six in the list of best associate degree nursing programs in the state, out of 20 institutions evaluated. The designation adds to the top-ten ranking the program received earlier this year in the list of 2020 Best RN Programs from RegisteredNursing.org. 

Mid-State Technical College marked the achievements of its newest graduates on Sunday, May 17, with a virtual graduation celebration on the College’s Facebook page. The video event included a congratulatory message from Mid-State President Dr. Shelly Mondeik as well as submitted photos and personal messages from 96 of Mid-State’s 346 spring graduates wearing their graduation cap and tassel and many faculty and staff. The video reached over 9,500 people in the community. 

Student Ann Ilagan, Plover, is graduating this spring from Mid-State Technical College with her associate degree in Business Management, but not before making her mark on student government statewide. This April, Ilagan was elected by her peers to a second term as Wisconsin Student Government (WSG) president, giving her the rare honor of being reelected to the role. She will continue as president in the 2020–21 academic year, while enrolling part-time at Mid-State.

When it comes to bold career moves, Luke Mrozcenski, Nekoosa, has mastered the crash course. Set to graduate this spring from Mid-State’s Civil Engineering Technology-Highway Technician, he first took a step back from his full-time salary and health insurance after one year of teaching high school math. “I wasn’t sure if I was exactly where I was supposed to be in life,” he said about his decision, even if teaching was a great fit in many ways for the self-improvement addict who is motivated by the desire to help others.

When Colette Stoflet, Plover, chose her college and career path, she followed her instincts in two important ways. First, she was looking for a small, nurturing atmosphere similar to what she’d thrived in at Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids. The other was deciding to trust the results of a career interest survey suggesting she’d enjoy work as an administrative professional. 

For many, the coronavirus pandemic has made any plans to attend a four-year college in the fall less certain, but the University Transfer Program at Mid-State Technical College is now a more tempting path to achieving that goal. New students enrolling in Mid-State’s University Transfer Liberal Arts programs will now receive a scholarship covering the cost of their first three- or four-credit class, valued up to $450.

This April, 13 Mid-State Technical College construction and industrial trade apprentices received $1,500 Tools of the Trades scholarships from Ascendium Education Group, formerly known as Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates. The awards are designed to help apprentices with financial need in the Wisconsin Technical College System complete their programs and continue earning in their high-demand careers.

Adults considering a change can now learn about at-home college options in a new webinar series from Mid-State. The College’s free “Stay at Home and Stay on Track” webinars are designed for any adult looking to learn a new skill or explore options for a path to advancement in their current career or a new one. Participants will learn how their time at home can be used to upskill through flexible courses that fit their lifestyle and interests and have a chance to ask questions.

Those looking to advance their careers in a leadership position locally will now have a clear path to achieving that goal. Mid-State Technical College has worked with area business partners to offer a new Leadership Development program launching this fall. The associate degree may be completed at an accelerated pace and will be available at any Mid-State campus, thanks to the use of technology to connect classrooms.

Mid-State Technical College has announced its selection of Benjamin Nusz as the new dean of its Stevens Point Campus. The transition is a promotion for Nusz, who has taught in the College’s Renewable Energy Technician and HVAC programs since 2008. Nusz replaces Volker Gaul, who served in the campus dean role from May 2015 until his retirement in January. 

Mid-State Technical College students now have the opportunity to receive emergency funding as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund established by the new legislation allows colleges to seek funding, then make final distribution to their students. Mid-State applied for and was awarded funding for distribution to current full-time and part-time students to help meet their obligations in the areas of course materials, technology, food, housing, healthcare and childcare through the end of the semester.